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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:*
August 25, 2025




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*Dan Tierney: 614-644-0957
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*Team Tressel Fitness Challenge Launches in Schools Across Ohio*

*"Over 160,000 students will take on the challenge"*

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin today announced the launch of the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge in grades 4-8 across Ohio. The challenge will officially begin for students who opt-in on September 8th.

The challenge was created as part of Governor Mike DeWine’s efforts to make Ohioans healthier and help every person live up to their full potential. Led by Lt. Governor Tressel, the challenge strives to help students across Ohio form healthy habits in fitness, nutrition, and sleep through individual goal setting. 635 schools have opted into the challenge, serving over 160,000 students.

"We created this challenge so it's truly for everyone - from the super athlete to the student who needs an adaptive exercise, from the very active to the less active and everything in between," said Lt. Governor Tressel. "We want kids to be excited about living a healthy life. Our goal is to teach them good habits that will shape their behavior, self-image, and overall health and show them how beneficial it is to carry those habits through life."

Ted Ginn Jr holding football

Former Ohio State University and NFL Wide Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. is acting as the Challenge Captain and will be traveling across the state with Lt. Governor Tressel to visit schools and inspire students participating. Alongside Ginn, other former collegiate and professional athletes will participate in the challenge, offering encouragement and sharing tips with students.

"I wanted to be involved in the challenge because it's important to show kids early on how simple it can be to live a healthy life. 



"We want to make it easier for kids to see how they can energize their bodies with small changes like water instead of soda or taking a walk everyday," said Ginn Jr. "If we can get a kid, we can get a family and that can create a greater impact across the state."

Throughout the challenge, students will work through three levels beginning with Bronze and continuing through Silver and Gold, selecting from a menu of activities in each of the core areas: Fitness, Nutrition, and Sleep. At each level, students are required to set a certain number of goals in each activity category to complete during the number of days at that level. While the challenge runs for 90 days, students are required to practice their goals for 60 of those days.

bronze, silver and gold medals

"As Ohio kids return to school, the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge will help participating 4-8th graders build the healthy habits that will help them excel in the classroom," said Governor Mike DeWine. "Lt. Governor Jim Tressel and the former collegiate and professional athletes he has recruited to help will be leaders and role models in coaching Ohio kids to learn more about physical activity, nutrition and sleep, so that they can be at their best in school."

After completing each level, students will reflect on their progress or participate in “quiet time,” a technique Lt. Governor Tressel used with his football players when he was coaching to promote self-reflection and goal setting.

“We’re thrilled that so many Ohio schools have joined the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge,” said Director Dackin. “By setting goals around physical activity, nutrition, and sleep, students are building healthy habits that support their well-being, sharpen their focus, and prepare them for success in school and in life. We’re proud to support this effort and look forward to its positive impact across the state.”

The challenge was designed to be completed by students individually after school, but flexibility is built in for schools who desire a more active role. All schools participating have a designated “Challenge Coordinator” who manages their school’s participation and submits final achievement levels to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to receive completion certificates.

By the end of the challenge, students will have learned how to create a workout and lifestyle routine they can build on throughout life. For more information, visit education.ohio.gov/TeamTressel [ [link removed] ].

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